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Lewes, Delaware

The town of Lewes got its start back in 1631 when a little more than two-dozen men from Holland sailed to the New World to establish a whale-oil colony along the western shores of the Delaware Bay. As the fort of Swanendael, or Valley of the Swans, was centralized, a misunderstanding between the colonists and the native people led to the fort's destruction and the colonists' massacre. Given the initial colonization of Swanendael, this allows Lewes to lay claim to being "the First Town in the First State."

By 1682, William Penn was granted the three lower counties that now make up Delaware as part of his Pennsylvania territory. Penn decided to name the southernmost county for Sussex, England, his home province, and renamed Deale as Lewes after the port city in Sussex, England.

The town thrived as people arrived and merchants set up shop over the years. Churches and a courthouse were built as the town grew and became a busy port where ships would restock supplies. Lewes also served as the seat of Sussex County until 1791 when the government was relocated to Georgetown, a more central location.

By the 1960s, the menhaden business bottomed out. The fish that had produced an industry disappeared and the companies that relied on it had moved on. The loss of that industry, as well as a clam factory, marked a monumental change for Lewes.

From 1990 to 2000, nearly 700 additional full-time residents settled in to make Lewes their new home. The population, according to the 2000 census, came in at a little more than 2,900 people.

With nearly four centuries of history, Lewes has been transformed from a community of whalers and fishermen to one that is equally dependent on the sea, but in a much different way. Tourism has helped fuel a 20-year growth spurt in Lewes. Picturesque beach homes have replaced quaint cottages amid the sand dunes, and hardware stores and mom-and-pop stores have made way for bistros and boutiques. The new wave of residents has come seeking a slower paced lifestyle, lower taxes, and the lack of urban crime.

Lewes also remains an east coast port of call and is home to a large fleet of charter fishing boats. It is likewise the base of the Delaware Bay and River Pilots Association, whose members guide cargo vessels to and from the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia. Lewes is also the site of the University of Delaware College of Marine Studies and is the southern terminal for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.

Lewes Map

Lewes Weather

TONIGHT - Windy

Lo: 49°

Wind: NW 9 MPH G 17

Humidity: 63%

SATURDAY

Windy

Hi: 69° | Lo: 49°

SUNDAY

Sunny

Hi: 70° | Lo: 50°

MEMORIAL DAY

Sunny

Hi: 71° | Lo: 60°

TUESDAY

Chance Of Showers

Hi: 71° | Lo: 61°

30% POP

WEDNESDAY

Chance Of Showers

Hi: 79° | Lo: 65°

30% POP

Lewes Events

• The Original Socrates Cafe' - Philosophical, Existential Discussion Group
  Tuesday 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  LEWES PUBLIC LIBRARY - SECOND FLOOR - Lewes, Delaware
  September 11 @ 1:30pm - September 6 @ 3:30pm
• Historic Lewes Farmers Market
  Lewes Historical Society, 110 Shipcarpenter St, Lewes De - Lewes, Delaware
  June 29 @ 8:00am - June 29 @ 12:00pm
• The Infamous Lewes Doo-Dah Parade!
  Parade route: Manila Avenue, Kings Highway, Savannah Road, 2nd Street, Market Street, and 3rd Stree - Lewes, Delaware
  July 4 @ 5:00am - July 4 @ 7:00am
• Old Fashioned 4th of July
  Second Street, Lewes - Lewes, Delaware
  July 4 @ 9:00am - July 4 @ 4:00am
• Kelly J. Fritchman 5K
  Irish Eyes Pub - Lewes - Lewes, Delaware
  July 13 @ 8:00am - July 13 @ 11:00am
• Click here to view the Events Calendar

Lewes Restaurants

Lewes Shopping

Lewes Lodging

Lewes Real Estate

Additional Lewes Resources

• Lewes Beach Rules
• City of Lewes Website
• Lewes Chamber of Commerce
• Historic Lewes Website
• Lewes Police Department
• Lewes Fire Department
• Cape Henlopen State Park
• Cape May-Lewes Ferry
• DART Bus
• The Cape Gazette Newspaper
• Delmarva Now! Media Group

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